BELLE DE LONDRES – Compassion climbing rose on its own roots
Step out your door to a veil of raindrops and soft, fragrant blooms: BELLE DE LONDRES ‘Compassion’ brings a romantic, cottage-garden charm to Dublin terraces and country cottages alike. Its large, warm salmon-pink flowers with a peachy centre release a rich, fruity fragrance that feels both nostalgic and quietly uplifting, ideal for evening moments of contentment under green, filtered light. As an own-root climber, it develops steadily, giving you roots in the first year, stronger shoots in the second, and full ornamental longevity by the third, so your arch, wall or porch becomes a reliable, long-term feature. Even in soft Atlantic air with frequent rain and fungal pressure, careful siting and simple seasonal care keep the display graceful, while the Award of Garden Merit underlines dependable garden performance for busy, hobby gardeners.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front-of-house Dublin terrace or town entrance |
Train BELLE DE LONDRES ‘Compassion’ against railings or a slim wall to create an elegant vertical screen that barely steals any ground space, yet transforms the threshold with large, exhibition-style blooms and a welcoming scent for fragrance-loving beginners. |
| Irish cottage garden wall or sunny gable |
On a cottage wall with decent drainage, this long-lived own-root climber gradually builds a permanent flowering curtain that can be refreshed by pruning rather than replacement, supporting the feel of a settled, traditional garden for heritage-minded homeowners. |
| Pergola or arch over a garden path |
Its tall, flexible canes and large, double flowers are ideal for clothing an arch, where the strong fruity scent is caught at head height, creating that short, romantic walk under the blooms which suits strolling, nature-oriented gardeners. |
| Family seating area or patio backdrop |
Planted behind a bench or small terrace, the dense, dark foliage and repeat-flowering display form a soft, green backdrop that highlights the glowing pink-peach blooms, giving a gently enclosed, calming feel for busy urban families. |
| Large container by a doorway or on a balcony |
In a generous 40–50 litre pot with good drainage, it can be enjoyed where soil is limited; the own-root habit helps it cope with occasional neglect, reshooting well after pruning, making it realistic for time-pressed city balcony owners. |
| Feature climber in a mixed flowerbed |
Used as a vertical accent within a mixed border, its award-backed reliability and remontant flowering bring structure and continuity, while the pastel tones blend easily with perennials, appealing to colour-conscious cottage-style gardeners. |
| Sheltered fence in mild, damp regions |
On a south or south-west facing fence with air movement, it copes more comfortably with our often wet, fungus-favouring weather, needing only routine monitoring and timely treatment, reassuring cautious but fragrance-seeking beginners. |
| Cut-flower corner for home arrangements |
The high-centred, XL blooms with long, straight stems and strong fragrance are excellent for vases; planting at the edge of a bed allows easy cutting through the season, rewarding creative, home-decor-focused gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-porch veil – Let BELLE DE LONDRES soften a porch with loose, cascading canes and underplant with dwarf coral bells for foliage contrast – ideal for romantic cottage-garden admirers.
- Soft-sunset arch – Train it over an arch and pair with Gaillardia for warm, sunset tones echoing its peachy-pink blooms – perfect for colour-loving family gardeners.
- Elegant town facade – Use a narrow trellis on a terraced-house front and keep the base simple with gravel and pots, highlighting the flowers and fragrance – suited to busy urban owners.
- Evergreen backdrop – Combine with Prunus laurocerasus ‘Klári’ behind, so glossy evergreen leaves frame the pastel flowers, giving year-round structure – good for low-fuss structure seekers.
- Patio showpiece pot – Grow in a 50 litre container with airy, light-toned underplanting, turning a plain patio corner into a scented focus – appealing to beginners testing a first climber.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Large-flowered climbing rose; registered as ‘Compassion’, traded as BELLE DE LONDRES / Compassion; exhibition category: large-flowered climbing rose; antoniaROSE ORIGINAL own-root container form. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Jack L. Harkness, Harkness Roses, Hitchin, UK; cross of ‘White Cockade’ × ‘Prima Ballerina’; bred and introduced in 1972, now widely grown as a classic climber. |
| Awards and recognition |
Holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, recognising reliable performance, good ornamental value and consistent flowering under typical garden conditions when reasonably maintained. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Vigorous climber 320–500 cm high, 160–260 cm spread; dense, dark green glossy foliage, heavily thorned shoots; needs support and seasonal pruning to manage height, shape and flowering wood. |
| Flower morphology |
Very large, double, high-centred blooms, 10 cm or more, often 3–5 per stem; 26–39 petals; classic pointed buds; remontant with a strong main flush followed by abundant repeat flowering in season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm salmon-pink with peachy centre; outer petals lighter; buds deep peach-pink, ageing to softer pastel and sometimes creamy tones; colour lightens in strong sun yet remains harmoniously blended on the plant. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Rich, strong, fruity rose fragrance, noticeable at a distance in still air; excellent for seating areas and paths where scent can be appreciated on summer evenings and after light showers. |
| Hip characteristics |
Forms moderate numbers of ovoid, orange-red hips, 14–22 mm; decorative in late season and useful for a softer autumn appearance if not all spent flowers are removed after flowering. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −26 to −23 °C (USDA 5b, RHS H7); disease resistance moderate to weak, with particular rust sensitivity, so benefits from airy sites, hygiene and timely, preventative care in damp climates. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best on well-drained but moisture-retentive soil; tolerates partial shade; space 150–300 cm depending on use; needs training, deadheading and protection from fungal diseases for best long-term display. |
BELLE DE LONDRES Compassion offers richly fragrant, repeat-flowering blooms on a long-lived own-root climber, rewarding patient support and basic care with years of cottage-style charm, so you may confidently give it a place in your garden.
